Nearly 70,000 protest against plans for a badger cull

11.10.11

The RSPCA and the League Against Cruel Sports joined forces this morning, Tuesday, 11 October, to hand in a petition which makes public feeling about a badger cull in England known.

Between them, the animal welfare charities have collected around 70,000 signatures in protest to the plans.

We were devastated when it was announced in July that the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was ‘strongly minded’ to go ahead with the proposals as part of a package of measures to try to control bovine TB in cattle.

Threat to badger population 

We have long been firmly opposed to proposals for a widespread cull which would mean that at least 70 per cent of the badger population in large areas of the country will be killed. 

 
Culling could make things worse

Scientific studies have shown that culling would be of little help in reducing the disease in the long-term, and could actually make things worse in some areas.

Stacey Frier, senior parliamentary adviser for the RSPCA, said:

With parliament coming back after the summer recess, we could be looking at a final confirmation of these appalling plans very soon so it seemed important to act now.

These signatures which we have handed in to Defra this morning send them out a very clear message - these plans are not what the public want.

More information

Find more about what bovine TB is and why it is such a big issue:

• Read our campaign facts.